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Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Athletes With Chronic Hamstring Strain

No phase Interventional Hamstring Muscle Strain

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Dry Needling, Standard Rehabilitation Program.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Hamstring Muscle Strain. Basic parameters: 18 years — 35 years · Male.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Egypt
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Athletes With Chronic Hamstring Strain

Overview

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes in athletes with chronic hamstring strain. Chronic hamstring injuries are common among athletes and often lead to persistent pain, reduced performance, and limitations in daily and sports activities. Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used to target myofascial trigger points and relieve muscle tension. This study will compare the effects of dry needling with conventional physiotherapy interventions to determine its role in managing chronic hamstring strain. Participants will be athletes diagnosed with chronic hamstring strain. Outcomes will include pain intensity, muscle flexibility, and functional performance. The results of this study may help improve rehabilitation strategies and provide evidence for the use of dry needling in sports injuries.

Detailed description

Chronic hamstring strain (CHS) is a common musculoskeletal condition among athletes, particularly in sports involving high-speed running and sudden changes in direction. It is characterized by persistent or recurrent symptoms lasting more than three months and is often associated with reduced muscle flexibility, decreased performance, and an increased risk of reinjury.

Dry needling (DN) has emerged as a therapeutic intervention targeting myofascial trigger points to reduce pain, improve muscle function, and restore neuromuscular control. It is believed to act through both mechanical and neurophysiological mechanisms, including reduction of muscle tension and modulation of pain pathways.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of dry needling as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy in athletes with chronic hamstring strain. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group will receive dry needling combined with a structured physiotherapy program, while the control group will receive the same physiotherapy program without dry needling.

The physiotherapy program will include stretching exercises, strengthening exercises with an emphasis on eccentric loading, and functional training. Dry needling will be applied to identified trigger points in the hamstring muscles using standard clinical techniques.

Outcome measures will include pain intensity, hamstring flexibility, and functional performance. Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention period.

The results of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the added value of dry needling in improving rehabilitation outcomes for athletes with chronic hamstring strain.

Interventions

  • Procedure Dry Needling
    Participants will receive dry needling treatment applied to active myofascial trigger points in the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus). Sterile filiform needles will be inserted into identified trigger points to elicit local twitch responses and reduce muscle pain and tightness. Treatment will be performed in addition to a standardized rehabilitation program including stretching and strengthening exercises for the hamstring muscle group. Sessions will be admi
  • Procedure Standard Rehabilitation Program
    Participants will receive a standardized rehabilitation program including stretching and eccentric strengthening exercises for hamstring muscles without dry needling.

Primary outcome measures

  • Pain Intensity [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
  • Functional Performance [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment]
  • Hamstring Muscle Strength [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment]
  • Hamstring Flexibility [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment]
  • Kicking Speed [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Male football players aged 18 to 35 years.
  • Diagnosed with chronic hamstring strain (CHS) confirmed by ultrasonography.
  • Injury duration of more than 3 months.
  • Classified as Grade I or Grade II hamstring strain.
  • Currently participating in the competitive phase of football.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) between 21-25 kg/m².

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous exposure to dry needling therapy.
  • Presence of any other current lower limb injuries.
  • Participation in another hamstring rehabilitation program.
  • Active skin infection at or near the treatment area.
  • Bleeding disorders or use of anticoagulant medications.
  • Severe needle phobia or psychological intolerance to needling.
  • Presence of neuromuscular disorders (e.g., muscular dystrophy or peripheral neuropathy).

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

Egypt · 1 center
  • Abu Qir General Hospital — Alexandria

Publications

  • Petersen J, Thorborg K, Nielsen MB, Budtz-Jorgensen E, Holmich P. Preventive effect of eccentric training on acute hamstring injuries in men's soccer: a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med. 2011 Nov;39(11):2296-303. doi: 10.1177/0363546511419277. Epub 2011 Aug 8. PMID 21825112
  • Espejo-Antunez L, Tejeda JF, Albornoz-Cabello M, Rodriguez-Mansilla J, de la Cruz-Torres B, Ribeiro F, Silva AG. Dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger points: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Aug;33:46-57. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.003. Epub 2017 Jun 15. PMID 28735825
  • Ekstrand J, Hagglund M, Walden M. Epidemiology of muscle injuries in professional football (soccer). Am J Sports Med. 2011 Jun;39(6):1226-32. doi: 10.1177/0363546510395879. Epub 2011 Feb 18. PMID 21335353
  • Dunning J, et al. Dry needling clinical practice review. Phys Ther Rev. 2021;26(5-6):287-307. https://doi.org/10.1080/10833196.2021.1983244
  • Croisier JL. Factors associated with recurrent hamstring injuries. Sports Med. 2004;34(10):681-95. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200434100-00005. PMID 15335244
  • Chaabene H, et al. Hamstring strength assessment systematic review. Sports Med Open. 2019;5:23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-019-0198-7
  • Chamorro C, et al. Reliability of handheld dynamometry and isokinetic testing. Open Med. 2014;9(4):382-397. https://doi.org/10.1515/med-2014-0058
  • Canosa-Carro L, et al. Dry needling effects on hamstring flexibility and performance. J Sport Rehabil. 2022;31(3):254-261. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2020-0225

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07569484 · P.T.REC/012/006296

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗